Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were synthesized using chemical evaporation deposition (CVD). The morphology and microstructure of MWNTs were observed via HRTEM. The multimall carbon nanombes are entangled to bundles with a diameter of several tens of nanometers. Electrochemical properties of MWNTs were examined via a variety of electrochemical testing techniques. The MWNTs electrode demonstrated a reversible lithium storage capacity of 340 mAh/g with good cyclability at moderate current density. The kinetic properties of lithium insertion in MWNTs electrodes were characterized via ac impedance measurements. It was found that the lithium diffusion coefficient D-Li decreases with an increase of Li-ion concentration in MWNTs electrodes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.